Earth-boring machine



June 2 1925- 1,539,908

w. E. MOORE EARTH BORING MACHINE Filed Oct. 6, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 2,

' W. E. MOORE EARTH BORING MACHINE Filed oct. e, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 2,v 1925. 1,539,908

W. E. MOORE EARTH BORING MACHINE Filledoct. 6, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet z' 270g/ZZ@ ZUM/72, EWG-07716 l im www@ W. E. MOORE EARTH BORING MACHINE June 2, A1925 1,539,908

Filed Oct. 6, 1919 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 iso Patented June 2, 1925.

, UNITED STATES PATENT olf-Fica.

WILLIAM E. MOORE, O'F CHICAGO, IIiLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY IESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 INTERNATIONAL EARTH-'BORING MACHINE CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

EARTH-Bonino MACHINE ,To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. MOORE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Earth-Boring Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an earth boring machine adapted, more particularly, for boring holes for installing telegraph and telephone poles, fence posts and for analogous purposes.

Speaking generally, the invention embodies a machine which can be detachably mounted on thev chassis of an ordinary motor truck, and its operating mechanism coupled to the engine shaft of the auto motor, thereby enabling the drilling operation to tbe effected by means of power derived from the motor car engine.

' Speaking more specifically, the invention, from a structural standpoint, embodies several novel features, among which may be mentioned the following. A fixed frame -or platform which may be secured to the chassis of the motor car, and thus form the base or support of the boring machine; a movable platform or support, upon which the operating mechanism of the borinar machine is directly mounted, and which is movable relative to the stationary platform, whereby the boring tool may be placed in a wide range of positions; improvements in a pivotally mounted tower in Vwhich the boring tool and its shaft are mounted, whereby the tool may be operated at any desired' angle: improved means for adjusting the angle of inclination of the tower; improved means for raising and lowering the boring tool and its shaft; and mechanism for adjusting the countershaft with reference to the main driving shaft of the boring machine to compensate for the different positions of the slidable platform with reference to the sta-- tionary platform. Features of the invention, other than those adverted to, will appear from the hereinafter detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The drawings illustrate the preferred,

practical embodiment of the invention, but

this construction is to be understood as illustrative, only, and, therefore, not exclusive Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan of the gearbox and its associated parts;

Fig.`5 is a section on line 5-'5 of Fig. 4; Fig.' 6 and 6a are detail views showing the manner of securing the machine to the chassis; and i Fig. 7 is a detail showing the' slidable connection between the auger shaft and its driving gear. l

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, Adesignates the outlines of a motor car, the wheels thereof being shown at B. A plurality of I-beams 8, positioned transversely with reference to the channel beams 9, forming the side members of the chassis of the motor vehicle A, constitute a stationary 'frame or platform. The ends of I-beams 8 are secured to the channel beams 9 thru the medium of "bolts 10, clamps 11 and nuts 12, said bolts extendingthru the upper flanges of theV channel irons 9 constituting the side frame of the chassis, as clearly appears, in' detail, in Figs. 6 and 6*.

Superimposed on the stationary frame described is a movable frame or platform embodying a plurality of I-beams 13 positioned above and extending parallel to I-beams 8, and the further set of I-beams 13 extending at right angles to beams 13 and secured thereto by gusset pieces 14, seeFig. 3, thereby forming a rectangular frame. Two of the I-beams 13 of the movable platform are provided with legs 15, in each of `which are journaled rollers 1,5' and 152, the rollers 15 vriding -on the upper face of the anges of yshaft 28 is a miter gear 31 meshing with a miter gear 32 fixed to shaft 33, whereby the latter is driven.

In order thatshaft 28 may accommodate itself to different positions of the movable platform without disturbing the operative relation of gears 26 and 27, said shaft 28 is adjustably slidable thru its bearing 30 and miter gear 27, thereby permitting the movable table to be shifted to different positions without changing the positions of gears 26 and 27. When the table h-as been placed in its operative position for drilling,

the gear 27 may be ixedly secured to shaft 28 in any suitable Way. The bearing 29 is supported from any suitable crossing 29 which connects two adjacent parts 13, as shown in Fig. 3.

Secured to the inner end of shaft 33 is a pinion 34 which meshes with a gea-r 35, splined to the auger or jack shaft 36, to the bottom of which shaft is detachably secured, in any suitable manner, (see Fig. 7) the auger or boring tool 37. The pinion 34 and gear 35 are housed within a gear-box 38, which forms a bea-ring for the auger shaft 36 (see Figs. 1 and 4). Fixed to the upper end of shaft`36 is a cross-head 39, slidably mounted in a suitable frame or tower, hereinafter to be described, for the .purpose of raising and lowering the auger and its shaft.

Pinion 34 and gear 35 are fixedly mounted in the gear box 38, and this construction necessitates, of course, that the auger shaft 36 be slidably mounted relative to gear 35, in order that said shaft may be reciprocated therethru. This slidable movement may be eHected in any suitable manner, as byproviding the shaft 36 with a key-way as 36', and the gear 35 with a feather 35a thatfits therein, (see Fig. 7) thereby coupling the shaft and gear for rotation, but permitting of a sliding or reciprocating movement of the shaft relative to the gear.

Secured to shaft'33 is a gear 40 which meshes with a gear 41 fixed to the end of. shaft 42, which shaft is supported in bearl ings 43, 44 (see Fig. 1) mounted on the tower in a manner hereinafter to bel described. To the opposite end of shaft 42 is yfixed a gear 45 which meshes with a gear 46 secured to shaft 47, mounted in bearings 18, 19 on the movable platform. It will thus be seen that power may be transmitted purposes hereinafter specified. This tower may be reinforced by means of a cross-piece 52, from which extend inclined members 53, the lower ends of which are provided with forked members 53 which pivotally straddle Shafts 33 and 47, laterally of bearings 19, thereby enabling the bracing members 51 to partake of the movements of the tower, whereby the tower and its reinforcing members may be inclined atsuch angle as l to transport `it effectively, but, morev particularly, to enable the auger to be presented to the surface to be drilled, whether horizontal or inclined, at any desired angle.

The tower may be securely held in its vertical or inclined positions by meansof pipes 54, pivoted at their lower ends, as at 55, to the movable platform. The inclination of the tower is effected by means of slidable sleeves 56 on pipes 54, said sleeves being connected by a tie member\57. Pipes 54 and sleeves 56 are provided with registering openings, thereby permitting the sleeves to be locked in any desired position on the pipes by pins 58.

The mechanism for raising and lowering the auger shaft embodies a gear 59 fixed -to shaft 42 (see Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6) and this cooperates with a gear 60 mounted on a shaft 61 j ournaled in housings 62, extending upwardly from the topof the tower. 'The endless chain 63 cooperates with gears59, 60; and the crosshead 39, heretofore described, is provided with a tooth or lug 64 secured to the chain, whereby the cross-head partakes of the movement of the chain, thereby lifting or lowering the auger shaft and auger in synchronism therewith.

The movable platform, carrying the drilling machine, is reciprocated on the fixed platform by the mechanism now to be described. Fixedly mounted 'on one ofthe I-beams 8 are gear wheels 65 on which travels the endless chain 66, movement being imparted to said chain thru the medium of crank 67 which directly drives one of the gear wheels. Depending from the adjacent beam 13 of the movable platform is a tooth or lug 68 which has a fixed connection with cha-in 60,.whereby said movable platform may be reciprocated in either direction depending. upon the direction of motion imparted to crank 67.

It is usually desirable, in order to give the boring of operation,

which this might be accomplished as is obvious or a simple way is shown in Fig. 3, wherein the I-beams 8, on which the rollers 15, 15" of the movable frame ride, are extended laterally.

From the foregoing description, the mode of operation of the machine will be readily understood, but it may be briefly described as follows. The motor car havin been driven to the desired vicinity, and tie boring tool properly centered for its work, by suitably adjusting the movable platform, power is then imparted to the main driving shaft 20 of the boring mechanism, whereupon the boring tool is forced to its work by the mechanism described. Upon reaching the desired depth, the transmission gear of the motor engine is reversed whereupon the boring tool is withdrawn, carrying wit it the loosened earth. Any suitablemeans, which it is not deemed necessary to illustrate," may be employed, for readily throwing shaft 20 out of operative engagement with the engine shaft.

It will be understood that slight changes may be made in the mechanism described, such as the substitution of equivalents, or a change in location of the boring mechanism with respect to the motor car engine, withyout departing from the spirit or substance of the invention, the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

Having described my invention, claim is 1. In an earth boring machine` tionary frame motor chassis, a movable frame mounted on the fixed framel for reciprocating movement, earth boring mechanism mounted on the movable frame with its main driving shaft journaled in said fixed frame. means connecting said driving shaft with the motor shaft of the motor car, means for varying the position of the boring mechanism an means for compensating for the different positions of said boring mechanism without disturbing the operative relations of the motor shaft and the main driving shaft of said boring mechanism.

2. In an earth boring machine, a stationary frame adapted to be attached to a motor chassis and extend a movable frame mounted on the fixed frame for reciprocating movement laterally of the chassis, earth boring mechanism mounted on the movable frame with its main driving shaft journaled v' in said fixed frame, means connecting said driving shaft with the motor shaft of the motor car, means for varying the position of the boi'- what I a staadapted to be attached to alaterally thereof,'

ing mechanism and means for compensating for the different positions of said boring mechanism without disturbing the operative relations of the motor shaft and the main driving shaft of said boring mechanism'.

3. In a machine of the class described', a truck provided with a motor, longitudinally disposed sills mounted on said truck, beams secured transversely of said sills, a movable frame mounted to run longitudinally of said beams and means, provided with an adjustable driving mechanism, connected to Athe motor and mounted. on said movable frame for digging a hole.

4. In a machine of the class described, a motor truck provided with a suitable motor and side sills, transversely mounted beams fixed to said sills, a movable frame carried by said beams and supported thereby, a pair of sprocket wheels mounted on one of said beams, a chain running over said wheels, means detachably connecting the movable frame to the chain, whereby said frame may and earth boring mechanism mounted `on the movable frame.

5. In a machine of the class described, a motor truck with a wheel base, a motor and longitudinally extendin sills mounted on said truck, transverse y disposed beams vfixed to said sills and extending beyond the wheel base, a movable frame mounted on said beams, means for shifting theframe So that it may be placed at any desired position within the range of its movement, means for boring a hole mounted on said movable frame and transmission mechanism cooperating'with the motor and the hole bor-ing means for operating the latter.

6. In a machine of the class described, a motor truck. having mounted thereon a motor and longitudinally extending sills, beams fixed t-o said sills and extending beyond the wheel base of the truck, a frame mounted to move on said beamsmeans fo-r shifting said frame, earth boring mecha'- nism, and adjustable means for driving the earth boring mechanism from said motor in d Vanv position of the movable frame.

7. In a machine of the class described, a

motor truck provided with a suitable metor, a shaft running from the motor. a sprocket wheel mounted on said sha-ft, beams fixed to said truck and extending laterally thereof to form a fixed frame, suitable bearings rising from said beams carrying a shaft, a sprocket wheel on said shaft, a chain connecting said sprocket wheels, a bevel gear fixed to said last mentioned shaft, a second'bevel gear engaging with the same, another bearing rising from said frame, a movable frame mounted on said transverse beams, a bearing .extending from said movable frame, a shaft connecting said bearings and said last mentioned,

ci Y

gear, .boring mechanism mounted-,fon said "'frame'ffad means connectingv said boring mechanism 'with said last mentioned-shaft so tllaltitt eff'lattcr may drive the former.

"SU'Ilr-a machine of the class described, a 'rftrufckjhaving a'fmotor with a shaft on ,-yvhicli'is mounteda Isprocket wheel, "transversely disposed beams, mounted on 'fth'trckg'a movable frame mounted on said 101 beams,i"arsecond 'shaft mounted parallel to ythe engine shaft and supported from bearings, carried by said beams,- a third shaft positioned laterally of the second shaft and supported from the movable frame and the beams by suitablebearings, bevel gears connecting said shafts, means for connecting the engine shaft with the shaft parallel therewith so' that the former may drive the latter, a hole boring mechanism carried by the movable .frame and means for connecting said boring mechanism with the transversely disposed shaft so that this shaft may properly drive the boring mechanism 1n any position which the movable frame may assume. v

9. In a machine of the class described, a truck vwith a Suitable motor, a shaft connected'to said motor, a sprocket wheel on said shaft, transversely disposed beams mounted on said truck, earings carried by Said beams, a second shaft mounted in said bearings, a sprocket wheel on said shaft, a chain connecting the two sprocket wheels so that the engine will drive the two shafts, a movable frame carried by said beams, a

third shaft supported by two bearings, onev of which is carried by the movable frame and the other by a beam, gears connecting the two driven shafts so that one shaft will drive the other in any position within the limits of movement of the frame, aboring mechanism and suitable means for driving the boring mechanism from said third shaft.

10. In an earth boring machine the combination with a self-propelled vehicle comprising a wheeled chassis, an engine mounted in said chassis, driving connections jpermanently associated with the engine and said wheels and includingva clutch mechanism, of a trackway supported directly upony saidchassis, a rigid platform mounted 1mmediately upon said trackway for movement to dispose its outer end in varying positions beyond the confines of the wheeled frame, atower,l a boring mechanism carried by the tower, adriVing shaft 4for the boring mechanism arranged substantially horizontally and mounted directly upon the rigid platform adjacent the ,outer end thereof, means for pivotally mounting the lower portion of said tower to swing immediately about the axis constituted by said driving shaft and driving means operatively connecting said shaft and the motor of the self propelled prising achassis, an internal combustion engine mounted linthe chassis, driving connections between the motor and the wheels of the chassis including a clutch, a. rigid platform mounted for movement upon the chassis todis ose its outer end in varying positions eyond the confines of said chassis, an upstanding tower, means for pivoting the lower portions of the tower to tilt upon a horizontal axis mounted directly upon and adjacent one end ofthe said plat orm,'a boring mechanism mounted in and movable with the tower to varying positions of angularity about said horizontal'axis and permanently operative driving connections between the motor of the self propelled vehicle and the boring mechanism operative through said horizontal axis throughout all positions of the platform with respect to the chassis, said driving connections likewise including a clutch whereby the engine may be instantaneously brought into operative relation with either the boring mechanism or the .driving wheels of the vehicle to shift .said vehicle about in the spotting of the auger of the bo-ring mechanism. l

1 2. Inv an earth boring machine a motor vehicle comprising a chassis, driving wheels, steering wheels, a motor mounted in said chassis at the forward end thereof and permanently located driving connections between the motor and the driving wheels including a clutch, of a rigid platform mounted for movement on said chassis to dispose its outer end in varying positions beyond the confines of said chassis, a horizontal shaft mounted directly uponthe platform adjacent the outer end thereof, an upstanding tower, means for pivoting the lower portion of the tower to tilt about said shaft, a boring mechanism carried by the tower and movable with said tower to varying positions of angularity about said horizontal shaft, said shaft constituting a driving shaft for the boring mechanism and permanently located driving connections between the motor of the motor vehicle and said driving shaft extending upwardly from said motor to said platform and operatively connecting saidshaft and motor throughout all positions `of angularity of the boring mechanism with respect to the platform and 

